Delhi stares at more dusty days as strict curbs set in

After imposing the toughest curbs after pollution levels shot through the roof, the national capital is left with few options, as weather predictions pointed to more dusty days ahead.

- Puja Das

Authorities shut schools, stopped trucks and suspended construction across the capital as part of an eight-point plan, after much of north India sank into a haze thanks to farm fires, auto exhaust and adverse wind patterns.

On Monday morning, emergency steps to combat air pollution kicked into GRAP-4, which entails the widest set of restrictions. Meanwhile, many companies in and around the capital have asked employees to work from home.

"We already have flexible working whereby the employee can align with the manager and work from home," an Ericsson India spokesperson said. The Swedish telecom gear maker added that it was maintaining air quality within its premises.

However, in sectors such as manufacturing, remote work is not practical.

"As chairman, I'm working mostly over the internet and can afford to be away from the city," said R.C. Bhargava, chairman, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. "If I was MD of Maruti Suzuki, I could not have done that. Our workers, their supervisors, people who are guiding them, training them, have to be there also," Bhargava said, adding citizens must put pressure on the elected government to adopt the best practices to prevent the causes of pollution.